Imperial Extra Double Stout
Harvey's Brewery

Imperial Extra Double StoutImperial Extra Double Stout
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From:
Harvey's Brewery
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #377
ABV:
9%
Score:
88
Ranked #13,437
Avg:
3.96 | pDev: 10.86%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
23
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 09, 2024
Added:
Jan 30, 2012
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Ratings by Jeffo:
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cheers to Dennoman for sharing this one at his house a few weeks back. Good times man!

From a botte into a tasting glass

APPEARANCE: A dark brown pour yields a small, medium looking, light tan head with lousy retention. Head quickly fades to a light wisp and bubbly ring. Black body with no carbonation evident. A swirly wisp and ring remain leaving some decent dots of lacing down the glass.

SMELL: This is quite a different aroma for a stout. Somewhat lambic like with plenty of tart lemon, orange peel and floral notes. Brett cherries, some raspberries, and only a hint of roast under the tart fruits. Interesting, but not quite as balanced as I'd hoped.

TASTE: Matches the nose quite well. Sour, tart lemon and raspberries with bretty cherry flavors and a touch of roasted malts up front. A bold and persistent aftertaste of salty licorice and caramel sweetness, a touch of dark chocolate, as well as more sour, tart cherries and lemon esters. Interestingly flavorful and more stout qualities than the nose had suggested.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. This one goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. A touch of booze lingers as well.

OVERALL: This was an extremely interesting beer that is tough to score. The sourness was obviously intended, so in that respect, this is a job well done. While the nose is a little heavy on the tart aspects, the sour and stout flavors meshed really well together, making this a fun and enjoyable drink. Thanks again Dennoman!
Jan 16, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by Dethark from England

Mar 09, 2024
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Reviewed by vinicole from England

4.24/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Bottle conditioned. 2016 vintage. Bought from the brewery in 2017 and cellared at 14C. The pour appears quite viscous. Ebony in colour with a bubbly tan head.
Wow. A rich aroma of dark autumn and stoned fruits soaked in rum. Toffee caramel, toasted bread and leather present
Initial sweet taste of soy is then overcome by a burnt bitter completion.
Very full bodied with little carbonation. Syrupy feel.
The bouquet was quite gorgeous. At 5 years the ageing has done it's job well.
Jan 07, 2024
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
9.3 oz bottle, no date that I can find anywhere - there was a few lines of ink on the cap but unclear what it may have previously read.

pours an inky jet black, dark brown colored head that fades to a thin ring. aroma is pretty tart, dominated by vinous dark fruits on top of figs and dark chocolate. similar flavors, also a good bit of smokey char and a little soy sauce. A bit acidic in the middle, long but dry finish. thick sticky mouthfeel.

overall very intense and complex but not sure I like the sour aspect.
Mar 22, 2023
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Reviewed by edthehead from Maryland

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2001 - bottle pour into a taster glass.
Dark brown with limited tan head.
Notes of raisin, leather, tobacco, and prune.
Moderate to light mouthfeel with minimal carbonation, likely due to its age.
Nov 01, 2022
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4.69/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, as "Harvey’s Double Extra Russian Stout". ABV was 9.5%. Gravity dispense. Pitch black colour, low head. LOVELY complex aroma, surprisingly fruity: Plums, cherries, oranges. Roastiness, oak and cigars too. Flavour is extremely roasty and bitter, but also elements of oak and dark fruits. Warming mouthfeel, as expected from a 9.5% ABV beer. The roasty and bitter aftertaste lasts "forever", making it difficult to move on to another beer. Belongs in the top division of beers.
Dec 05, 2020
Photo of flyingpig
Reviewed by flyingpig from Scotland

2.94/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
275ml bottle from Beerhawk online shop (£3.49):
Dark & thick looking with a 0.5cm head that's tan coloured & holds well. The nose is strong & boozy with dark fruits, cherries & a sugar sweetness followed by some slightly sour, funky notes at the end. The taste was stronger than the nose with a lot of sourness initially with some boozy, brandy-like flavours. The balance wasn't a particularly great one but it was pleasantly warming at the end whilst not being your typical imperial stout.
Jan 16, 2020
Photo of JonnoWillsteed
Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L- This beer is BLACK-black, not even a photon gets through it even when held touching a halogen bulb. Pours with 3mm very dark caramel brown head. Ring+lacing remain even 20mins later.
S- 'Deep molasses, toffee, with just a hint of coffee'. No need to hunt for the Smell, it's prominent.
T- Boof! Coffee, deep intriguing molasses and hefty roasted/toasted notes which also brings a touch of smoke. Almost wine-like notes when occasional hints of sour/dry/bitter fight their way through.
F- Heavy Feel (as well as ^Taste), from it's richness mostly as it's 9% ABV is well veiled. Serious winter-warmer.
O- Heavy, charry, deep, pungent, very roasty. I haven't read the lable/other reviews this is blind, if the latter say it's aged in wine barrels it'll make more sense. Interesting to try and perfectly drinkable but maaahn it's a bit intense to make a regular of it.
ps. Nearing the last swig or two, DAMN this beer is PUNGENT!!
275ml bottle (what is this, Australia?). Bought from Beerhawl/UK for home delivery (UK!). BB: Feb-2021.
Dec 06, 2019
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Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

4.24/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This bottle cap is stamped "2009". I remember picking this up a few years back at Belmont Party Supply in Dayton, OH. There is little head but some random pockets of bubbles. The nose is heavy on the dark fruit, smoked wood, and brown sugar.

Plenty of dark chocolate and wood and leather flavors, with notes favoring both wine and whisky. This is dry and complex, with late roast coffee notes in the aftertaste . The carbonation has not totally dissipated and provides a fine platform for the plethora of flavors. I would be curious to find one of more recent vintage because I have nothing to compare this to.
Nov 03, 2018
Photo of jazzyjeff13
Reviewed by jazzyjeff13 from England

4.02/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 275ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2018. Purchased last year from the Harvey's brewery shop in Lewes. The label states that this is based on an original recipe for RIS and has won many awards in recent years.

A: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. An exceptionally dark brown hue that appears pitch black in the glass. Produces a small head of creamy brown foam that lasts for a minute or two before reducing to a patchy surface layer.

S: Aroma of rich dark malt with hints of roasted grain, prunes, dried fruit, fruitcake, molasses, mild coffee, ale yeast, faint leafiness, a touch of soy sauce and a twinge of acidity. The booze is well hidden. Wonderfully complex.

T: Tastes of roasted grain with notes of sweet dark malt, molasses, prunes, dried fruit, subtle coffee, a hint of chocolate, ale yeast, earthiness, mild soy sauce, vague leafiness and a whisper of sourness in the background. Quite sweet, followed by a substantial malt-driven bitterness upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth and lightly tingly, with soft carbonation and lovely body for the style. Creamy but not overly so. Somewhat astringent. Aftertaste of bitter roasted malt, burnt grain, coffee, chocolate, molasses, dried fruit, ale yeast, leafiness and soy sauce.

O: A big, roasty brew with a rich character. Looks the part, while the aroma and flavour are stuffed with intense dark malt and complex fruitiness. Nice body. A sipping ale that makes for the perfect finish to a session. Well worth sampling if you have the chance.
Oct 31, 2018
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Reviewed by Vader444 from Scotland

3.77/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle poured into Spiegelau stout glass

Really interesting to read fellow advocates’ reviews after trying this as I wondered if I had a dud bottle. Pours a standard RIS appearance. Dark chocolate and loads of dark fruits; blackberries and sour cherries on the nose and palate. Slight savoury note courtesy of soy sauce. Bizarrely, this immediately reminds me, flavour wise, of a big Italian red wine, perhaps a Chianti or an Amarone. Very odd. Not unpleasant but completely unexpected. Mouthfeel is near perfect for a RIS. Weird but enjoyable. Cheers.
Jan 05, 2018
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Reviewed by ygtbsm94 from Utah

3.87/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Nose sour dark fruit, chocolate, wood, molasses, roasted malt, soy, nice head retention. Taste wood, plums, raisins, tobacco, licorice, molasses, leather, vanilla, soy, cocoa, slight coffee, full bodied.
Feb 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.09 by shelby415 from Oregon

Dec 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.88 by vdub191 from Rhode Island

Jan 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by steverx8 from England

Nov 02, 2014
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Reviewed by VelvetExtract from Massachusetts

3.82/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
2008 on the neck label.

A-Pours a dark brown. The pour gives off a thin, tan head that quickly recedes. Random dots and stripes of lace.

S-Very shocked by the aroma. Had no idea this had a tart element; is this intended? Apparently so. Dark, sour cherry, soy sauce and some other dark fruit. There is also a solid amount of roast and chocolate, which I what I was expecting.

T-Sweet and sour and hard to grasp. During each sip, as I let it sit in my mouth, I really enjoy the flavor but after the swallow, the finish is a bit too odd. Tart, rotten fruit- specifically cherry and blackberry. Roasted coffee and milk chocolate. Finishes with a sour/swee combination that I find to be mildly off-putting. A bit like old jam.

M-Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Lingering flavors.

O-Quite unique. One sip I would love, the next one it would be far less enamored with, then I'd love it again. Regardless, this was a cool surprise to try.
May 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaydoc from Kansas

Nov 27, 2013
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Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland

4.32/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
9.3 oz bottle into a snifter, 2009 vintage. Note I'm simply moving this review to the more appropriate beer.

A: Pours a pitch black color. The head is a one finger tan shade that fades away gracefully. A creamy ring of lace remains on the glass before that fades, as well.

S: Man, my fellow reviewers weren't kidding when they said this had a sour edge. The aforementioned tartness has a wonderful cherry tone to it, as well. When given a chance to open up, it develops stronger notes of chocolate, molasses, soy, and smoke. In a nutshell, the aroma is basically chocolate-coated tart cherries. Epic.

T: The first sip bowls me over in terms of layered complexity. It's also roastier than the aroma suggested. Because I had every expectation of this being sour, its opening presence doesn't bother me. Flavors become roasty near the middle, and smoky on the back end. A distant aftertaste of earthy notes become prevalent, as well. It's far more complex than I described, though - the more I sip, the more distinct flavors I pick up (dark fruits, licorice, caramel, tobacco, peat, and leather). The only real flaws I can find is that the depth of flavor isn't perfectly cohesive, and the finish develops a bit too much char flavor at times. Otherwise, this is some stunningly contemplative stuff.

M: It's creamy, but at the same time, airy and VERY dry. The feel gradually becomes 'wetter' as more is sipped, giving it the proper decadence it deserves. As a nitpick, it could stand to be a bit beefier in its body - especially since this isn't something that I'd call 'easy to drink'.

O: This ain't for everyone. I like to think of this one as a rite of passage for most beer drinkers - many will hate it, but those that aren't initially put off by its strange chocolate-meets-soy sauce-meets-char-meets-sour cherries approach to a RIS will be rewarded spectacularly. In a word, superb; how fitting something of this magnitude was my 500th review.
Jul 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by ohiobeer29 from Ohio

Jul 02, 2013
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Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

4.41/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased from John's Grocery online, 9.3oz bottle 2008, imported by B. United International Inc in Redding CT.

A- Stouts, double/imperial, whatever don't get any blacker than this. Small tan head of foam with a vigorous pour, very good lacing.

S- Big notes of roasted malt, sour fruits follow very closely, and, maybe?, some sort of Brett like aromas? Chocolate is there but the Brett is puzzling me.

T- Wow. On the sweet side= caramel malt and brown sugar. Some roasted malt here but it goes quickly to a sour fruitiness that works splendidly. Not too darn sour for the style lest people say it's probably infected. No no. I detected raspberries, maybe some red cherries, and they work good as gold in this IS. The 9%abv plays it low key though there's a nice warming after the swallow.

M- near full bodied with lowish level of carbonation, this beer just feels right in the mouth.

O- oh my, 'tis a very fine drop indeed. I need to get some more!!!
May 19, 2013
Imperial Extra Double Stout from Harvey's Brewery
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 23 ratings